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Neat tool, but it seems to be based on Antennaweb's overly conservative estimates. It says I get "no signal" for all the full-power Austin locals (60 miles away), when in fact I get a strong and very consistent OTA picture for all of them. It would be an even better tool if it used TVFool's results.

Based on what I'm seeing now on the antenna, I find the results for my house are actually quite accurate. They even properly forecast that I can't/won't get KVCR 24.1 even though it's physically close (it's on the other side of a mountain range.)

Opinions expressed by me are my own and do not necessarily reflect
those of DBSTalk.com, DIRECTV, DISH, The Signal Group, or any other company.

Based on what I'm seeing now on the antenna, I find the results for my house are actually quite accurate. They even properly forecast that I can't/won't get KVCR 24.1 even though it's physically close (it's on the other side of a mountain range.)

My OTA antenna also maps perfectly to the list of stations and their results here.

Stuart - this is a very easy-to-use and helpful tool that I hope many use to check out their own situations, which obviously vary based on location.

Based on what I'm seeing now on the antenna, I find the results for my house are actually quite accurate. They even properly forecast that I can't/won't get KVCR 24.1 even though it's physically close (it's on the other side of a mountain range.)

Interesting. What I am seeing is almost exactly what I see with Antennaweb. Here's what I get with this tool and with TVFool:

Looking at it some more, it looks like all the stations are in the same relative order of signal strength, so maybe they account for terrain and signal strength in a similar way. Perhaps the FCC tool just has a different definition of "no signal" than TVFool does -- or maybe it assumes you don't have a good, outdoor antenna.

As with all things, it's likely the FCC's tool will be better for some situations and worse for others. I think the FCC's approach probably makes a little more sense when you're talking about a government web site. You don't want it seeming like they're promising coverage they can't deliver.

Opinions expressed by me are my own and do not necessarily reflect
those of DBSTalk.com, DIRECTV, DISH, The Signal Group, or any other company.

I think the FCC's approach probably makes a little more sense when you're talking about a government web site. You don't want it seeming like they're promising coverage they can't deliver.

That makes sense. But on the other hand, erring on the side of fairly extreme conservatism may convince some people that OTA isn't a feasible option even with a high-gain outdoor antenna setup, and it might well be. Looking at my results above, a lot of people could be excused for thinking OTA would be hopeless out here.

Interesting. What I am seeing is almost exactly what I see with Antennaweb. Here's what I get with this tool and with TVFool:

Looking at it some more, it looks like all the stations are in the same relative order of signal strength, so maybe they account for terrain and signal strength in a similar way. Perhaps the FCC tool just has a different definition of "no signal" than TVFool does -- or maybe it assumes you don't have a good, outdoor antenna.

You can specify the height of your antenna at TVFool, while the FCC site may make an assumption that the antenna is indoors or is outside at 20 feet, so that may make a difference.

The FCC page includes the following note:

Actual signal strength may vary based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, building construction, neighboring buildings and trees, weather, and specific reception hardware.